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Daily moisturizing must be a key part of your skin care routine, whether you are trying to prevent an itchy rash or soothe an eczema rash flare-up. But choosing the best moisturizer cream for eczema is as important as using it.

When you’re standing in the skin care aisle in your pharmacy, the best moisturizer for an eczema rash might not be obvious. With so many products to choose from, all of which promise itch relief and smoother skin, it’s easy to be enticed by the packaging. But reading the ingredients is more important than the promises printed on the label.

“Moisturizers are very soothing, may help the itch, and help the skin re-establish its important barrier function to help protect us from dehydration and infection,” says dermatologist Kathryn Schwarzenberger, MD, associate professor of medicine at University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington. The best moisturizers for eczema help to seal moisture in the skin.

“There are a wide variety of good moisturizers available,” says Dr. Schwarzenberger, as long as you know the two key ingredients to look for. Products containing either one can help eczema:

Petrolatum (Vaseline). “The most simple, effective, and cost effective moisturizer is plain petrolatum,” says Schwarzenberger. “I tell my patients that it is inexpensive, readily available, and it doesn't have any fragrances or preservatives, some of which can be a problem for people with eczema.” Petrolatum is unlikely to trigger any allergic reaction, however it is also very greasy, and many people find that unappealing, says Schwarzenberger, especially for daytime use. “In general, the greasier the product, the more emollient or moisturizing effect the product has,” she says, but adds that it is possible to find products containing petrolatum that are not as greasy.

Ceramides. These are a newer ingredient in cream for eczema. “Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids, or fats, found in the skin,” says Schwarzenberger. “When used as moisturizers, they appear to be very helpful in softening and moisturizing cells in the outer layers of skin, allowing damaged skin to help re-establish the barrier function.” Ceramides may help your skin keep moisture in and might also prevent further damage from eczema rash. Expect products containing ceramides to be more expensive than those containing petrolatum.

When you’re choosing products for your skin, avoid those that contain fragrances, perfumes, or dyes. These added ingredients can trigger eczema rash, undoing all your good efforts at skin care. Also, says Schwarzenberger, try to avoid moisturizers containing alcohols, which can be irritating to inflamed or irritated skin.

How to Use Your Moisturizer

Once you have chosen a moisturizer for eczema, you have to make using it a regular habit if you want to help your skin. Aim to moisturize at least once a day — and keep in mind that you might benefit more from twice-a-day applications. The best time to apply a moisturizer is just after bathing or cleansing skin.

“Moisturizers work best when applied to wet skin,” says dermatologist Diane Whitaker-Worth, MD, associate professor of dermatology at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington. “This helps to seal in the moisture from bathing or showering before it evaporates and dries the skin.”

You should continue to use your moisturizer even when you have a flare-up of itchy rash (unless you think the product you were using caused the rash). Using an appropriate moisturizer can be soothing and will help to avoid complications, such as infection.

You can maximize the effectiveness of your moisturizer by protecting your skin’s ability to hold in moisture. “Limit using things that might dry the skin. This includes many soaps, exfoliants, washcloths, and hot water,” says Dr. Whitaker-Worth.

By using the best moisturizer you can find and making the best skin care choices throughout the day, you can help keep the moisture sealed in your skin and better manage your eczema.

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